Jelly Roll Reveals He's Taking A Break From Touring to “Heal” After Bunnie Xo Divorce
An Arizona couple is amid a tense, expensive legal battle.
Sam Meranto, a local Phoenix celebrity who rose to prominence for his self-help infomercials, and his wife of nearly 45 years Cynthia Meranto are currently fighting for control over their $2.6 million estate.
According to Maricopa County Probate Court records obtained by The Arizona Republic, Sam, 94, as well as his three living children Jeffrey “Rico” Meranto, April Meranto and Jason Meranto—he welcomed six kids with his first wife Maria Meranto—have alleged that he is “terrified” of Cynthia’s effort to place him in a guardianship and conservatorship that will “deprive him of money, friendships and family.” They further expressed fear he will be “sent to a facility to die.”
Cynthia, for her part, has stated in court documents obtained by The Arizona Republic that her husband is “unable to make meaningful decisions regarding his care and finance,” and that Rico and Jason had him removed from a care facility earlier this year without her knowledge and against her wishes.
The 65-year-old’s court filings also claim she is “afraid” of Sam’s children, especially Rico, who she alleged in the documents had previously accused her of stealing Sam’s valuables (she has made similar allegations toward him).
Meanwhile, Cynthia—who tied the knot with Sam in 1983—alleged that Rico manipulated her husband into signing a document that replaced her with him as Sam’s power of attorney. However, Sam and Rico argue that he had signed over the papers after the 94-year-old called his son multiple times begging for help to get out of the facility where Cynthia had placed him following a hospitalization in July 2025 after a bad fall. (According to court documents, Sam’s sons removed him from the care facility in February, and he’s currently residing in a “family home.”)
Sam Meranto/Instagram
Cynthia’s attorney Carol Soderquist acknowledged elsewhere in court documents that the couple’s estate is estimated to be worth around $2.6 million, but noted that as of July the pair have lost around $100,000 due to their ongoing legal battle, which began in March.
Sam was an established television star at the time the pair tied the knot in 1983, but Cynthia’s petition alleges that due to their nearly 50-year marriage, “there are very few assets that are not community property.”
In a statement to The Arizona Republic in June, Cynthia said she loves her husband and the entire ordeal “has been very difficult for everyone involved.”
E! News has attempted to retrieve court documents and reach out to attorneys for Sam and Cynthia but has not yet heard back.
For more celebrities who have gotten tangled in expensive legal battles, keep reading...
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Ron Perelman & Ellen Barkin
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Hulk & Linda Hogan
After 23 years of marriage and two children—daughter Brooke and son Nick—Linda filed for divorce from her husband when she heard of the professional wrestler's affair withChristiane Plante. Linda reportedly received an agreement worth over $30 million, including more than 70 percent of the couple's liquid assets, a handful of luxury cars, $3 million property settlement and 40 percent ownership in his companies.
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Mick Jagger & Jerry Hall
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Jeff Gordon & Brooke Sealey
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